“It’s wet, it’s dark, my toes are already soggy, but I’m ready — we’re gonna do this.”
“Start the piper!”
“This is the hardest challenge any Radio 2 presenter has ever faced.”
💛 Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge Begins
A huge morning on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show as the nation’s favourite northern DJ, Sara Cox, set off on her epic Great Northern Marathon Challenge for BBC Children in Need. Scott opened the show full of adrenaline, calling it “an emotional rollercoaster” and promising, “Today is the day — it’s finally here!”
Listeners from across the UK sent in early messages of support — Annie in Stockport sent “a big warm northern hug,” Vicky in Sheffield called Sara “so brave and beautiful,” and Dom, aged 8 from Cardiff, drank hot chocolate while wishing her luck. The Radio 2 text line was flooded with love for Coxie, with Scott repeating again and again, “If you’re listening, Sara, we are all so proud of you.”
🥾 Live from Kielder Forest
By 7.45am, Scott crossed live to the Scottish borders, where Sara stood in the pouring rain alongside local fifth-generation Kielder resident John T. He described the scene as “pretty grim,” with “dark skies and heavy drizzle,” but spirits were high nonetheless.
At 8am, the live moment finally came. Bagpipes blared, a local woman named Andrea blasted the air horn, and Scott yelled, “Sara Cox, off you go!”. The moment gave goosebumps across the airwaves, with Scott’s voice breaking slightly as he said, “We are all behind you 100%, every step of the way.”
🏆 The Return of Chappers
Mark Chapman — or Chappers as everyone still fondly calls him — burst onto the airwaves like a proud son at a family reunion. It was the first time he and Sara had been on air together in years, and the chemistry was instant.
“It’s been a very long time,” said Mark, “and the first time we’ve been on air in so many years. Isn’t this great? It’s like a little reunion!”
He then launched into a mock sports commentary so overblown and dramatic that Scott and Sara were crying with laughter:
“We’ve had incredible drama in the Premier League, the Lionesses, the Red Roses — but this is the sporting event of the year! One woman, her spirit and stamina tested to the limit, over five relentless days of wind, rain and terrain!”
Scott, grinning, interjected, “I’ve never heard you like that before. You’ve done me in, you need a lie down!”
Sara added through laughter, “Don’t give it all up to become a motivational speaker!”
It was vintage Chappers — part sports presenter, part hype man, part best mate. You could hear the genuine affection and shared history between them. When he teased her about “those early breakfast shows after a Brit Awards night out,” Sara howled, “I’d rather do five marathons than one of those again!”
The moment gave the show that magic you can’t fake — nostalgia meets Radio 2 family pride.
Before the big send-off, there was plenty of Monday-morning warmth with Tina and Ellie. Tina shared her surreal weekend at the Lady Mayor’s Parade (“I felt like I was in The Crown”), while Ellie laughed about the chaos of hosting her own K-pop party for her daughter. The pair joined Scott in celebrating the Children in Need Gala at ABBA Voyage, raising “loads of cash and having the best boogie.”
Ellie’s travel updates kept the show moving, and she was the one to say it best: “Perfect running weather — mild with showers — just right for Sara Cox.”
🏃 The Listeners Rally Round
From Blackpool to Cheltenham, Radio 2 listeners were glued to their radios. A montage of texts filled the airwaves: “Go on, Saz Pants, you legend!” and “Sara Cox is already a national treasure.” Even Dion the voice promised to meet her in Leeds on Friday. Scott admitted, “This is the hardest challenge we’ve ever put a presenter through — harder than Vernon’s, harder than Paddy’s — it’s brutal.”
By mid-show, he was encouraging everyone to grab their phones and text 70710 to donate £10, £20 or £30. “I’ve done mine,” Scott said live on air, “and it’s quite exciting to get the text back saying thank you for your donation.”
🧸 Carrying Pudsey to Pudsey
In one of the show’s sweetest moments, Sara revealed that she’s literally carrying Pudsey Bear on her back for all 135 miles. “He’s very lightweight, slightly waterproof, and he’s got a rain mac — I haven’t, but Pudsey has,” she laughed. “It’s like a baby in a papoose, which is just weird.”
Scott couldn’t resist reminiscing: “Bit like when you left your dog Snoop under the table at Radio 1’s Big Weekend!” The pair roared with laughter, joined by Mark Chapman, who gave a mock sports commentary pep talk so over-the-top it nearly made Sara cry with laughter.
📍 Where She’s Headed
Sara’s Day One route takes her from Kielder Forest through Bellingham, Wark and over Hadrian’s Wall, finishing tonight in Hexham, a total of 27 miles. “I’m jealous you’re going to Wark,” joked Scott. “Wark this way!”
Listeners along the route were already reporting sightings. “She’s just passed Donkley Wood,” said one texter, while Claire from Greenhaugh Primary School gathered pupils to chant, “Go on, Sara, you can do it!” as the kids waved Pudsey banners in the sunshine.
🎧 The Handover to Vernon Kay
At 9.30am, Scott handed over to Vernon Kay, buzzing from the morning’s emotion. The pair agreed it had been “a goosebumps start,” with Vernon noting that “Saras the one presenter who will keep going, rain or shine.” Scott added, “She doesn’t sound well — she’s got bare legs and bare arms — put your big coat on, Sara!”
Here’s how to support Sara Cox in her Children in Need challenge.
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